Folding index.



0.3. HUDSON.

. FOLDING INDEX; urmonrox FILED JUNE 11,. 1009.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Inventor:

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CHARLES E. HUDSON, OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING INDEX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Application filed June 11, 1909. Serial No. 501,659.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. I-IUnsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leominster, in the county of WVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Indexes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in indexes, and more particularly to an automatically closing index for use as a telephone directory.

The chief object of my invention is to provide an index which shall be compact, neat in appearance, private, convenient to handle and inexpensive.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a front elevation of my index when closed. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of my index when closed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the line 3-3 looking in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 1, showing the elastic band connecting the covers. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the index when open.

The index as herein illustrated consists of a piece of cardboard or other suitable material, of suitable dimensions, preferably about twenty-four inches long and eight inches wide, which is folded in at 5, and at 6 in a reverse direction, and so on alternately until the final fold is reached, which said last fold is made in the opposite direction from the first fold. This arrange ment results in a plurality of flaps of equal length successively joined together by flexible connections. The folds are so made that successive flaps are of unequal width.

The outside flap 7 Fig. 3, is wider than the next flap 8, and the following flap 9 is of the same width as the outside flap 7, and this order of alternately varying the width of the strips is continued throughout the index.

I do not of course limit my invention to the formation of the flaps by folding a continuous strip in the manner shown,'as it is obvious that a plurality of flaps or cards of one direction the dimensions shown and joined at their edges by any flexible means, would be the same construction.

The overlapping edges of the flaps form a convenient means for opening the index, and for the initial letters thereof. Each fold is provided with a hole 10 in the center of either side thereof, preferably about onequarter of an inch in diameter, the edges of whichare reinforced in a suitable manner to preserve the strength of the cardboard and prevent it from tearing and losing its shape. Through these holes is run the elastic con nection 11, wihch is held under slight tension and fastened to the outside flaps at 12, a short distance, preferably about one inch from said outlet, in any suitable manner, though I prefer to pierce both the elastic connection and the cardboard with an ordinary paper fastener 0r rivet, and thus easily secure the same in a manner which will enable the user to substitute cheaply a new elastic cord when the one in use becomes worn or loses its elasticity. The ends of the said elastic cord being thus fastened, the flaps are held closely together at all times, and after using it the folds will be automatically pulled quickly and closely together.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A folding index comprising a sheet. folded alternately in opposite directions to form leaves of alternate unequal width, and an elastic band passed centrally through each of said leaves in a plane parallel to the side edges thereof and having its ends secured to the exterior leaves at a substantial distance from the centers thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this second day of June 1909.

CHARLES E. HUDSON.

WVitnesses:

ELMER L. Bnrccs, K. M. SULLIVAN. 

